Derrick Smith’s All-America run ends after first day of NCAA Division III Championships

The stellar collegiate career of Oswego State 141-pound senior Derrick Smith (Mexico) came to an end on the first day of competition at the 2009 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships in Cedar Rapids, IA. Smith finished with a 1-2 tournament record, eliminated from competition after the second round of bouts in the consolation bracket.

Smith, who entered the tournament seeded eighth with a 30-7 record, opened the day with an 8-4 decision over Gregg Martino of New York University. The win set up a quarterfinal showdown with top seed and returning All-American Austin Bautista of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, dropping a close 3-2 decision.

Smith moved into the consolation bracket to face Kevin Donahue of Cornell College (IA), where he dropped a 12-8 decision. A victory would have guaranteed him a top-eight finish, garnering All-American accolades.

Smith, who joined the Lakers as a sophomore after a season at Division I Clarion University, completes his career as a three-time NCAA Division III national qualifier, compiling a 66-25 career record at Oswego.